Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Word order

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Learning English
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Leyla



Joined: 06 Aug 2004
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 12:53 pm    Post subject: Word order Reply with quote

Hello,
Does anybody know why the word order is changed in phrases like this: "If they can aim that big a gun at us, why can't we do it to them?" (It's from the book I'm reading now)? (I mean, shouldn't it be "that a big gun" Embarassed )
Is that because "that" is used here, or may be, it's done to emphasize the adjective "big"?
Thank you very much.
Leyla.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Leyla,

The sentence is correct as written. I don't know how to explain the grammar, but in this case 'that' could be replaced with 'so.' Ex.: "If they can aim so big a gun at us, .." ('That' is acting as a modifier to 'big.')

Your proposed word order does not work with 'that' (or 'so'), but it does with 'such.' In this case, the meaning would be the same as the original: "If they can aim such a big gun at us,.."

By the way, your word order would work by adding a couple of commas: "If they can aim that, a big gun, at us,.." It has roughly the same meaning, but probably with a little less emphasis on the gun.

Hope that helps somewhat.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Leyla



Joined: 06 Aug 2004
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 6:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you very much, bud!
It sure helps!
I appreciate your consideration.
Leyla.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 10:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My pleasure, Leyla. I'm glad it helped.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Learning English All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group